The aim of the study is to assess health data (heart rate variability, blood pressure, blood glucose, particulate matter pollution) and travel characteristics (length, duration and type of commute) on the way to and from work from members of the universities in Hannover (Germany).
Active mobility, (i.e. moving around using the own physical strength) has positive sustainability effects. The physically active way to and from college is a great untapped resources for health promotion. The aim of this sub-project is to examine the way to university in order to assess its effect on individual health depending on the means of transport. In order to determine the status quo and changes in mobility behavior the investigators will use movement trajectories using smartphone apps or inexpensive trackers in a larger cohort, as well as more specified health measures including overweight status, blood pressure, blood glucose concentration, lack of exercise, particulate matter and risk of accidents in a smaller sub-cohort. By linking this data with the personal characteristics surveyed in other sub-projects, an evaluation of the individual health status and the expected health benefits depending on the route to work can be created. This represents the database for identifying certain groups of people or status groups who could particularly benefit from targeted promotion of an active commute.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
500
Hannover Medical School
Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany
RECRUITINGHeart rate variability (HRV)
HRV measured by a wearable activity tracker
Time frame: 24 hours on two separate days for the short-term subgroup, and 7 consecutive days for the long-term subgroup
Blood glucose concentration
Intraindividual difference in blood glucose concentration between active and passive commuting as assessed with continuous blood glucose monitoring (Freestyle Libre 3)
Time frame: 24 hours on two separate days for the short-term subgroup
Work-Ability-Index
Interindividual difference between work ability as assessed with the Work-Ability-Index-Questionnaire. By adding up the points obtained from the questionnaire, scores can range from 7 to 49 points. The lower the score, the greater the discrepancy between the job demands placed on the respondent and their individual ability to cope with them.
Time frame: Once at baseline for both study subgroups
24 hour blood pressure
Intraindividual difference in 24 hour arterial blood pressure between active and passive commuting as assessed with 24 hour systolic and diastolic blood pressure monitoring (Boso TM-2450)
Time frame: 24 hours on two separate days for the short-term subgroup
Daily moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration
Interindividual difference in MVPA as assessed with a wearable activity tracker (Garmin Smartwatch Forerunner 55)
Time frame: 7 consecutive days for the long-term subgroup
Health-related quality of life
Interindividual difference between health-related quality of life as assessed with the Short Form 36 questionnaire. The possible score ranges from 0 to 100 points, with 0 points representing the greatest health impairment, while 100 points indicate no health impairment.
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Time frame: Once at baseline for both study subgroups
Particulate matter
Intraindividual difference in particulate matter concentration between active and passive commuting as assessed with a particulate matter measuring module
Time frame: 24 hours on two separate days for the short-term subgroup